God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Saturday, 19 March 2011

Get 2 Noe. LoMoGraPhy!!

Lomography is the commercial trademark of Lomographische AG, Austria for products and services catering to the Global Modern art community of Lomographic photography. The name is inspired by the former state-run optics manufacturer LOMO PLC of Saint Petersburg,Russia. LOMO PLC created and produced the 35 mmLOMO LC-A Compact Automat camera — which became the centerpiece of Lomography's marketing and sales activities. This camera was loosely based upon the Cosina CX-1 and introduced in the early 1980s.

In 1991, the Austrian founders of Lomography discovered the Lomo LC-A.[1] As the company states, they were "charmed by the unique, colorful, and sometimes blurry" images that the camera produced. After a series of international art exhibitions and aggressive marketing work, Lomography signed an exclusive distribution agreement with LOMO PLC — thereby becoming the sole distributor of all Lomo LC-A cameras outside of the Soviet Union.[citation needed]

Since the introduction of the original Lomo LC-A, Lomography has produced and marketed an entire line of their own branded analog cameras. Most Lomographic cameras are designed to produce a single photographic effect. For example, the Lomography Fisheye camera features a built-in wideangle lens, and shoots fisheye-distorted photos. In 2005, production of the original Lomo LC-A was discontinued. Its replacement, the LC-A+, was introduced in Fall 2006. The new camera, made in China rather than Russia, featured the original Russian lens manufactured by LOMO PLC. This changed as of mid-2007 with the lens now made in China as well.[2]

A Lomo Camera with a Fisheye viewfinder

Similar to Eastman Kodak's concept of the "Kodak moment," the Lomography motto of "don't think, just shoot" presumes spontaneity, close-ups, and ubiquity, while deemphasizing formal technique. Typical lomography cameras are deliberately low-fidelity and inexpensively constructed. Some cameras make use of multiple lenses and rainbow-colored flashes, or exhibit extreme optical distortions and even light leaks.[citation needed]

The Lomo LC-A lens effect can be digitally emulated with photo-editing software such as GIMP or Photoshop.[3] In addition, the company's promotional web site for Lomography showcases many high-contrast photographs - with unusual saturation and color - that were created using the technique called cross processing in which film intended for developing in slide chemistry (E-6) is processed in photographic negative chemistry (C-41), and vice versa. This technique can be employed with any film camera and can be somewhat mimicked with digital software as well.[4] However the use of digital manipulation to create these effect goes somewhat against the principals of Lomography and is generally far more satisfying to achieve these effects purely from the camera and film's processing itself.

[edit]Lomography the life style and Global experimental modern art movement

The desire for spontanious and unpredictable distortions of developed Lomographic photos have spawned a Global modern art movement of "Lomography" with the mission to "speak in photos and know no boundaries. In our mission to snapshot every corner of the world". [5].

Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique."[citation needed] Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life, as the Lomo LC-A's small size, simple controls, and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography, photo reportage, and photo vérité through the much-touted "10 Golden Rules" to maximize their chances to capture strange photos and to embody the "Lomographiers" statement of life being unpredictable curious adventure of "having fun while taking good pictures" [6].

1) Take your camera everywhere you go. 2) Use it any time – day and night. 3) Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it. 4) Try the shot from the hip 5) Approach the objects of your Lomographic desire as close as possible. 6) Don't think! Just Shoot (also the credo of Lomography). 7) Be fast 8) You don't have to know beforehand what you captured on film. 9) Afterwards either. 10) Don't worry about any rules.

The emerging global Lomographic community is nutured by The International Lomography society through, gallery stores and "embassies" dedicated to the growth, support and exposure of the art. Supporting budding Lomographers through socials as, exhibits, educational workshops, exposure galleries to encourage public enthusiasm amd awaremess, as well as provide retail supplies, gallery stores and rally places for Lomographiers to socialise.Lomographic Society International, located in Vienna the Headquarters and hub of Lomographic world. [7]

The International Lomography society, hosts many cultural events showcasing photographers' talents, such as the "Lomokikuyu" competiton to raise money for needed eye surgery and vision care in Kenya, parnering up with Viennese vision aid orgnization "Light for the world". [8]

The society maintains a website magazine thats keeps Lomographers connected at the center of the Lomography world. Provides an photo archive storage for their work. Articles track trends and ideas discovering new fun methods to photograph. An example "Lomography the Role Playing Game" with a dice. [9]

Afficandos of the hobby blog tutorials to share their discoveries fostering enthusiam with the Lomographic art. And celebrates the work of fellow Lomographers with online exhibits and competitions, game competitions [10] and gatherings as World Congress, a frequent international confrence of Lomographers held in host cities.